LThe famine epidemic which is hitting local authorities has not affected the Gironde Departmental Energy and Environment Union (Sdeeg). To the point of drawing a rare remark from the Regional Chamber of Accounts (CRC), more accustomed to deploring deficits in the structures it controls than to being alarmed by surpluses. Sdeeg, whose income is twice as high as its expenses each year, would be well advised to “use” its 9 million euros in cash, estimate the financial magistrates. Because it is public money that lies dormant in the coffers of this union created in 1937, the chamber recalls. The latter put forward some ideas: lowering costs to its members, or investing in the energy transition.
Powerful President
Little-known and old objects of the territorial mille-feuille, energy unions are interfaces between the local political world and electricity and gas distribution companies. For several years, they have also been able to carry out missions linked to the energy transition (construction of public lighting, support for communities, control of energy demand, etc.). They draw their resources from subsidies, fees from their members, and the services they offer. But, because of their vocation to deal with all municipalities, they are also powerful levers of influence in the political life of a department.
In Gironde, the Sdeeg, with 82 agents, has been chaired for thirty-four years by the irremovable mayor of Soulac and former senator Xavier Pintat. The latter is also a member of the supervisory board of Enedis. According to the CRC, the elected official has broad prerogatives. “The statutes provide that he alone decides on the agenda, the delegates must ask him to speak, he alone decides whether the union agents can speak. » The union committee has also transferred part of its powers to the president, such as decision-making concerning negotiated public contracts.
The union committee has no less than 769 members
It must be said, note the financial magistrates, that the other governance bodies are not very efficient. The office has 52 members on familiar terms and the union committee has no less than 769 members. “That’s 25% more members than, respectively, the government and the National Assembly,” laughs the CRC. An overabundance which “makes it impossible to hold debates and neutralizes any effective participation by members”.
The report, which multiplies its criticisms, notes that the quality of service provided in Gironde by Enedis is “lower than 60% of the national average and is deteriorating over the years”.
The quality of service provided in Gironde by Enedis is “60% lower than the national average and is deteriorating”
The chamber also criticizes the governance of Sdeeg for paying little attention in its mission to control Enedis of the operator's investment program, uncorrelated with the regional renewable energy connection plan, although contractual. Sdeeg, in the event of a non-fulfilled commitment, can order Enedis to place 7% of unrealized investments in sequestration. Sdeeg's response does not exude enthusiasm for triggering this device. The union indicates “that amplifying its control is delicate, since the concessionaire is in a monopoly situation”.
Risks of conflicts of interest
In 2023, Sdeeg also generated 3 million euros in revenue by offering various services to members linked to the energy transition (energy performance diagnosis, thermal installation audit, building project management, etc.). But this activity, when it is subcontracted, borders on the border of public procurement rules, note the financial magistrates: framework agreements passed without thresholds or ceilings, absence of publication of certain contracts awarded, etc. As for the services carried out internally, the chamber notes that some of them relate to commercial activities and that as such, Sdeeg should have paid VAT and corporate tax.
The CRC also questions the activity of installing photovoltaic panels of a mixed economy company, Gironde Énergies, created by Sdeeg, of which it is the majority shareholder and whose staff are agents seconded from the union. The chamber fears that this company does not benefit from privileged access to public procurement compared to its numerous competitors on this market, “to the extent that no demarcation is made between the union and the company” and that the clients of Gironde Énergies are members of the union which provides them with… energy advice.
In its response to the report, Sdeeg conceded the existence of a “perfectible” system but assured that it would do everything possible to guarantee watertightness between the two structures. Asked by “Sud Ouest”, Xavier Pintat did not wish to comment.
